Bipolar
Disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a serious medical
illness that causes shifts in a person's mood, energy, and ability to
function. Different from the normal ups and downs that everyone goes
through, the symptoms of bipolar disorder are severe.

What are the symptoms of bipolar disorder?

Bipolar
disorder causes dramatic mood swings from overly "high" and/or
irritable to sad and hopeless, and then back again, often with periods
of normal mood in between. Severe changes in energy and behavior go
along with these changes in mood. The periods of highs and lows are
called episodes of mania and depression.

People
with bipolar disorder experience unusually intense emotional states
that occur in distinct periods called "mood episodes." An overly joyful
or overexcited state is called a manic episode, and an extremely sad or
hopeless state is called a depressive episode. Sometimes, a mood episode
includes symptoms of both mania and depression. This is called a mixed
state. People with bipolar disorder also may be explosive and irritable
during a mood episode.

Extreme
changes in energy, activity, sleep, and behavior go along with these
changes in mood. It is possible for someone with bipolar disorder to
experience a long-lasting period of unstable moods rather than discrete
episodes of depression or mania.

A
person may be having an episode of bipolar disorder if he or she has a
number of manic or depressive symptoms for most of the day, nearly every
day, for at least one or two weeks. Sometimes symptoms are so severe
that the person cannot function normally at work, school, or home.

Symptoms of bipolar disorder are described below.

Symptoms of mania or a manic episode include:

Symptoms of depression or a depressive episode include:

Mood Changes

A long period of feeling "high," or an overly happy or outgoing mood

Extremely irritable mood, agitation, feeling "jumpy" or "wired."

Behavioral Changes

Talking very fast, jumping from one idea to another, having racing thoughts

Being easily distracted

Increasing goal-directed activities, such as taking on new projects

Being restless

Sleeping little

Having an unrealistic belief in one's abilities

Behaving impulsively and taking part in a lot of pleasurable,high-risk behaviors, such as spending sprees, impulsive sex, and impulsive business investments.

Mood Changes

A long period of feeling worried or empty

Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed, including sex.

Behavioral Changes

Feeling tired or "slowed down"

Having problems concentrating, remembering, and making decisions

Being restless or irritable

Changing eating, sleeping, or other habits

Thinking of death or suicide, or attempting suicide.

Treatment

Most
people with bipolar disorder can achieve substantial stabilization of
their mood swings and related symptoms over time with proper treatment.
A strategy that combines medication and psychosocial treatment is
optimal for managing the disorder over time.